An Elizabeth man is accused of kicking a police dog as he struggled to escape Union County Sheriff's officers trying to arrest the defendant wanted or failing to appear for a sentencing on drug charges.The Star-Ledger

ELIZABETH — A city man trying to escape from Union County Sheriff's officers kicked a police dog in the face before the dog bit the man in the leg as officers struggled to handcuff him, authorities said.

Edilberto Martinez, 34, was arrested in the basement of a Livingston Avenue house early Wednesday where he had fled to avoid police, Union County Undersheriff Joseph Cryan said today.

Officers executing arrest warrants first saw Martinez about 7:30 a.m. in the Elmora section of Elizabeth, but he fled, Cryan said. A short time later, officers saw the suspect run into a house on Livingston Avenue, and additional officers were brought to the scene, along with the police dog, Cryan said.

Officers located Martinez in the basement, and during a struggle, he kicked the dog. Cryan said dog then bit the man as officers apprehended him.

Martinez, who was wanted for failing to appear in court for sentencing on drug charges, was taken to Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth for treatment of a minor bite wound. From there, he was taken to the Union County jail.

The dog, named Jaeger, was taken to a veterinarian for treatment of wounds to his face, Cryan said.